Sweaty palms? Check. Racing heart? Check. Devil-may-care grin? Check.

I was down half a night’s wage after bribing Leon to let me take this call. Something deep inside of me knew it was the right thing to do and would pay off in a big way for me later. My three-month dry spell was almost up, I could feel it.

Seconds after I parked, four giggly women tripped out the front door. Only three continued their journey to my car. Harper opened the passenger side door and screamed, “Vivienne, it’s your driver.” I smiled, nodding my head at her. Less than a week after my one-night stand with Vivienne, I’d picked up Harper from a classy downtown apartment building. She came out wearing the most hilarious T-shirt she’d obviously stolen from her own rendezvous.

Vivienne had passed my name to her, which I thought was a hell of a nice thing to do despite the fact the woman broke my heart. And Mr. Woody. A hot, leggy blonde got in first and offered a “Hello”. Then a tall, loud woman slid in beside her complaining about not enough leg room.

Harper left the passenger door open and got in the back with her friends.

“Jason, this is Riley and Audrey,” Harper introduced us. My attention was focused on the sexy woman I’d slept with all those months ago. Fuck, she looked edible. My mouth watered as my brain remembered the taste of her on my lips. My jeans strained at the sight of her in that tight red dress, tits practically spilling out the top. Jesus. Even from here she was a sight to behold.

“What the hell is taking that woman so long? Open that door,” Audrey said and reached over Harper to open the door herself. “Get your ass in here, birthday girl.” Birthday girl? Hmm, did I have a present waiting for her.

Vivienne turned around and locked the door before slowly creeping down her steps in the most tantalizing, teasing way. All the best parts of her jiggled as she made her way around to my window.

“Hi,” she said and threw her blonde curls behind her.

“How’s it going?” I asked, not giving one shit that my eyes leisurely raked her from head to toe and back again.

“Can I talk to you?” she requested and motioned her head away from the car.

“Shoot,” I said and couldn’t help the smile that overtook my face.

“Not here.” She frowned, like I didn’t know what she meant. I knew exactly what she wanted. She wanted me to fuck the hell off but not make a scene in front of her friends.

Well, tough shit. My cock was standing at attention now that she was so close I could smell her, and there was no sign of him retreating anytime soon. No way was I standing up with him on the prowl. And how was I supposed to charm my way into her red lace panties? I’d bet my right nut she was wearing underwear to match the bra strap that slipped slightly down her shoulder.

“I’m good here. Talk away,” I said sarcastically. Her heels scuffed on the road as she shifted her weight from one foot to the other.

“Not here.” She enunciated slowly and clearly.

“Cut the bullshit and get in the car,” I replied, equally as annoyed now. She wasn’t going to order me around. Again. Been there, done that.

“Ohhh, did you hear that? This is gettin’ good,” Audrey unsuccessfully attempted to whisper. That was like asking a freight train to be quiet.

“One minute of your time,” she pleaded, and I almost caved. Almost.

“I’m not getting out of my car. Now stop holding me up. I’ve got other fares.”

She huffed, stomped to the open passenger door, and slammed it with all her might after she slipped in beside me. Her floral perfume washed over me, and I swear I felt light-headed. “Happy birthday,” I said, smirking at her.

Her eyes cut to me and she responded with a dry, “Thanks.”

“So then, we jumped out of that fucking pool so fast, all naked of course, then climbed the wire fence and ran back to my car like there was no tomorrow.” They all laughed right on cue. Even Vivienne chuckled despite herself. She’d relaxed a bit once she realized I wasn’t going to bite. Yet.

“What the hell did you do for clothes?” Vivienne asked, curiosity getting the best of her.

“Well, I always carry an extra set in the back of the car—occupational hazard. Then I drove around to a few late night stores and picked up a bunch of I LOVE SANTA LENA T-shirts. It was enough to cover up and not be too embarrassed when I dropped them off. Their neighbors just thought they really loved our city.” More laughs.

We arrived at the new steakhouse. The occupants of the back seat thanked me as they vacated quickly.

“I’ll wait for you guys,” I told Vivienne once we were alone.

“That’s not a good idea. Thanks for the ride,” she said, attempting to exit.

I grabbed her elbow before she got too far, my body rejoicing at finally touching her. “You look fucking hot tonight, Fancy Girl,” I practically groaned as my thumb stroked her soft skin. Desire gripped me at the contact.

Her resistance wavered as her eyes bore into mine, just like they had on our first night and only night. Instinctively, my body leaned into hers. Fuck, I missed her. Those candy-pink lips parted as she slowly licked them. Fuck. Me.

Watching her tongue move, I imagined her doing the same thing to my cock. Jesus, she was hot. My dick rose to the occasion, causing an even larger ache than before. Honest to God, I couldn’t help glancing down at her delicious cleavage. My heart sped up to an impossible beat thinking about caressing those creamy rich mounds. Her nipples hardened immediately, changing my ache to a full-on throb.

That mouth. The pure need to taste her—to sweep my greedy tongue into that inviting mouth overtook every thought. I lifted my hand, but at the last possible moment, she turned her head.

So close, but yet so far away.

“Bye. Have a good evening,” she muttered. Her head faced the opposite direction as she fumbled with the door handle, leaving me in the dust.

Or so she thought.